Film #63,472 For Samuel Jackson

Another one I think I'll pass on. From Black Talent News:

Hollywood heavyweight Samuel L. Jackson matches up with Josh Hartnett in the knock-out film "Resurrecting the Champ." Academy Award nominated filmmaker Rod Lurie ("The Contender," "The Last Castle") creates a explosive drama about scandal, ethics in journalism, family and legacy. The film is scheduled for release nationwide from the Yari Film Group on August 24th.

In "Resurrecting the Champ," Hartnett stars as Erik, an up-and-coming sports reporter who rescues a homeless man called "Champ," portrayed by Jackson. Erik discovers that Champ is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity for him to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success, becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.

For writer/director Lurie, attracting a strong cast was as important as the great story. The quality of actors who signed on are Academy Award® nominees, and several Emmy and Golden Globe winners. With that, "Resurrecting the Champ" was primed to go the distance to the big screen.

Lurie says, “I am truly delighted with every actor who came on board this film, but to have such a powerhouse as Sam Jackson in the title role, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I like to take an actor of his caliber – one who has such an iconic image – away from that image and plant him in a role that is unexpected. Since Sam usually portrays strong-willed, strong-bodied characters, I loved the notion of casting him as someone who is, as the Champ says, ‘down and almost halfway out.’ In fact, I can’t recall an actor transforming himself into a person of the streets like this in such a unique way since Dustin Hoffman literally embodied Ratso Rizzo in "Midnight Cowboy."

Jackson, an Oscar®-nominee for "Pulp Fiction," was eager to delve into such a fascinating character. “This guy is a fallen hero of sorts, a man who wants so much to be somebody else that he winds up being nobody,” observes Jackson. "I had to dig deep into parts of myself I didn’t particularly like going to in order to find the Champ, but it was a journey well worth taking."

Jackson’s career began upon his graduation from Morehouse College in Atlanta with a degree in dramatic arts. He went on to perform in numerous stage plays, including "Home," "A Soldier’s Play," "Sally/Prince" and "The District Line." He also originated roles in two of August Wilson’s plays at Yale Repertory Theatre. For the New York Shakespeare Festival, Jackson appeared in "Mother Courage and Her Children," "Spell #7" and "The Mighty Gents." Jackson made his film debut in "Together for Days," while still a student at Morehouse.

Jackson’s 2007 film releases include Irwin Winkler’s "Home of the Brave" and Craig Brewer’s "Black Snake Moan." Currently, Jackson has completed production on three films; Doug Liman’s sci-fi thriller, "Jumper," "The Cleaner," a drama/thriller that Jackson is co-producing and, most recently, "Lake View Terrace," a suspense thriller, starring with Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson.

His portrayal of Jules, the philosophizing hit man, in Quentin Tarantino’s "Pulp Fiction" brought him unanimous critical acclaim, as well as Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominations. For "Jackie Brown," his second film with director Quentin Tarantino, Jackson received a Golden Globe nomination and the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor in a Comedy at the Berlin Film Festival. For his performance in Joel Schumacher’s 1996 film of the John Grisham novel "A Time to Kill," Jackson received a Golden Globe nomination and an NAACP Image Award. In 1991, Jackson made movie history with his portrayal of a crack addict in Spike Lee’s "Jungle Fever" when he was awarded the first and only Best Supporting Actor Award ever given by the judges at the Cannes Film Festival. He also won the New York Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor for that performance.

From Invisible Woman: "I thought this was a role worth taking"? I think if you give Samuel Jackson a limo ride and a pack of Now 'R Laters he'll take it. And why the f__k would Cannes give the first and only Best Supporting Actor award in it's entire history for a crackhead role? I'm just sayin. And really, I truly doubt if this is anything along the lines of of "Midnight Cowboy".